Government Refining Haze Action Plan as Anwar Puts Children's Health First

With haze still hanging over parts of the country, the government says it is reworking how Malaysia responds, starting with when schools close and how children keep learning if they do.

According to Malay Mail, citing Bernama, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in a Facebook post on 19 October that proposals to improve the National Haze Action Plan are being refined. The focus is on school closure directives and on early preparations by the Ministry of Education (MOE) so that lessons can continue if schools are forced to shut.

What the government announced

Anwar said children's health remains the government's top priority, while making sure their education is not disrupted. The refinements will be worked out by several agencies together:

• The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
• The Department of Environment.
• The Malaysian Meteorological Department.
• The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.

He also said funding needs for cloud seeding will be met. According to the Prime Minister, these operations are being carried out almost daily, depending on whether cloud conditions are suitable.

Council meeting looked beyond the haze

The post followed a National Disaster Management Council meeting chaired by Anwar, which discussed the haze situation in detail and its impact on public health, especially on schoolchildren. The meeting was also briefed on two other weather threats:

1. The coming North-east Monsoon, which is expected to bring heavy rain and flood risks.
2. A forecast Super El Nino, expected to bring extreme hot and dry weather next year.

That combination matters. In a matter of months, agencies may have to switch from haze response to flood response, and then prepare for a hot, dry 2027 that could raise fire and haze risks again.

"The lives of the people must be protected, and aid must reach those in need immediately. This is the trust that we must shoulder together." — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as reported by Malay Mail

A bigger role for Nadma

Anwar said frontline agencies must keep improving their preparedness. He called for Nadma to be empowered as the "pulse" of cross-agency policy and operational coordination, particularly through the Central Disaster Operations Control Centre. The aim is to let prevention, preparation, response and recovery happen quickly and effectively.

He added that federal and state governments, the private sector, volunteers and communities must move together to strengthen community preparedness.

What it means for families

For parents, the key takeaway is that school closure decisions during haze episodes may become more structured, and schools may be expected to be ready with learning plans before a closure is ordered. Details of the refined rules have not been announced yet, so families should keep following official channels from MOE and their state education departments.

In the meantime, sensible steps at home include checking the Air Pollutant Index before outdoor activities, keeping children indoors when air quality is poor and keeping windows closed on bad days. If you are thinking about monitoring air at home, our guide to indoor air quality monitors explains what PM2.5 and CO2 readings mean.

What to watch next

The next steps to watch are the publication of the refined haze action plan, any new thresholds or procedures for closing schools, MOE guidance on home-based learning and how Nadma's coordinating role is formalised. With the monsoon approaching and a Super El Nino forecast for next year, preparedness plans for floods and heat are likely to get attention too.

Why school closures are a hard call

Closing schools during haze involves balancing two concerns. On one side is children's health, since young people breathing polluted air on the way to school and during outdoor activities are exposed for long periods. On the other side is learning time, which can be hard to recover, especially for pupils without reliable internet or a quiet place to study at home. That is why the Prime Minister's emphasis on MOE's early preparations matters: if teachers, pupils and parents know in advance how lessons will continue, a closure becomes less disruptive.

A clearer framework could also help parents plan. Working parents often have only a day's notice when schools close, which makes childcare difficult. Predictable triggers and advance warning would make it easier for families and employers to adjust, whether through flexible working, leave or alternative care arrangements.

FAQ

Who is refining the haze plan?

Nadma, the Department of Environment and the Malaysian Meteorological Department, working with the Education and Health ministries.

Is cloud seeding happening?

Yes. Anwar said operations are carried out almost daily when cloud conditions allow, and funding needs will be met.

Have new school closure rules been announced?

Not yet. The government says the proposals are still being refined.

The haze has exposed how quickly normal life can be disrupted. A clearer plan for schools and stronger coordination through Nadma could help Malaysia respond faster the next time the skies turn grey.